Ranking the top 5 power forwards in Miami Heat history

Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat reacts after scoring a basket during overtime of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at American Airlines Arena on December 25, 2015 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)

Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat reacts after scoring a basket during overtime of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at American Airlines Arena on December 25, 2015 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)

There have been a lot of tough and gritty Heat power forwards over the years. There have also been a lot of talented Heat power forwards over the years.

That mixture of toughness and talent is all over our list of the top five power forwards in Heat history.

Current Heat power forwards Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem are at the top of the list. But we had to go back in time to fill out the rest of the list.

Here are the top 5 power fowards in Heat history — at least according to us.

5. Grant Long: Similar to Haslem, Long was known for his hustle and effort on defense. As the third draft pick in Heat history in 1988, Long went on to play his first six NBA seasons in Miami before being traded to the Hawks just two games into his seventh season. But before being dealt, Long averaged 11.6 points and seven rebounds in 472 games for the Heat. He ranks fifth in franchise history in rebounds (3,281), third in steals (666) and 10th in points (5,473). Long was only with the Heat for one winning season, but he rarely disappointed as an individual.

4. P.J. Brown: Defense and rebounding. That’s what Brown was known for. After signing with the Heat as a free agent in 1996, he spent four seasons in Miami. Brown was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team twice as a member of the Heat in 1997 and 1999. He averaged 9.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks during his Heat years. As the numbers show, Brown was a solid player for Miami. But his most memorable moment with the Heat might be when he lifted and flipped Knicks guard Charlie Ward onto a row of photographers along the baseline, leading to a brawl between Miami and New York in the 1997 Eastern Conference playoffs. The Heat made the playoffs in each of the four seasons Brown was on the Heat. He was an important part of an era in Heat basketball that ranks second to just the Big Three era.

3. Kevin Willis: Willis’ time with the Heat was short, but that doesn’t make it any less meaningful. He played in 112 games over two seasons for Miami and averaged 14.2 points and 10 rebounds. Willis’ best season in a Heat uniform came in 1994-95 when he averaged 17.1 points and 10.7 rebounds for Miami. The Heat later traded Willis to the Warriors in the middle of the 1995-96 season as part of the deal that brought Tim Hardaway to Miami.

2. Udonis Haslem: It’s hard to justify retiring the number of a player who has never been an All-Star. But Haslem has given the Heat no other choice. Miami is expected to hang Haslem’s No. 40 jersey in the rafters when his career is over. The Miami native has become a pillar of the organization, proving to be a perfect symbol for the “Heat way” with his hustle and physical style. After going undrafted out of Florida in 2002, the Heat signed Haslem as an undrafted rookie in 2003 and he’s been on Miami’s roster ever since. Haslem has averaged 7.9 points and seven rebounds over his 13 NBA seasons — all spent with the Heat. On top of all that, Haslem is the franchise’s all-time leader in rebounds (5,665) and has been on the team for each of the Heat’s three NBA titles.

1. Chris Bosh: In six seasons with the Heat, Bosh has earned this spot. The 11-time All-Star ranks sixth in franchise history in rebounds (2,816), seventh in blocks (332) and fifth in points (6,914). Bosh began his Heat career in 2010 as part of the Big Three with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. The trio led Miami to two titles and four NBA Finals appearances. Although Bosh was considered the third option on those teams, he played a critical role with 17.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game over the four seasons that made up the Big Three era. After James’ departure in the summer of 2014, Bosh signed a max deal to stay in Miami. But Bosh’s past two seasons have been cut short due to blood clot issues. The 32-year-old is hoping to return to full health this season.